HOPKINTON – Seventh-grader Ryan Hawkins stood excitedly at the start line for a race in front of Hopkinton Middle School Wednesday afternoon when the "go" signal sounded.

The 13-year-old took off alongside about 900 other people running or walking the 2.62 Marathon Challenge – the length of the Marathon with the decimal point moved over to make it shorter.

Some ran the whole distance, while others walked as part of a yearlong schoolwide interdisciplinary curriculum called 26.2 Desire to Inspire. Others cheered from the sidelines with cowbells in hand, but it was a schoolwide event.

The curriculum incorporates the Marathon into all aspects of the curriculum this year from English, math, physical education and science.

Ryan’s nickname is "Hawk" and he soared – on his feet – to 2nd place out of all the students.

"It is kind of like the Boston Marathon," he said of running alongside all his friends and supporting one another to cross the finish line.

It didn’t matter if someone sprinted or walked across the finish line on the track behind the school, everyone cheered on fellow students, staff and teachers.

"I thought it was really inspiring," said seventh-grader Abbi Fischer, 13, who is on the track and cross-country teams.

"It was really cool how everyone came out and did it together," she said. "Everyone was supportive of each other."

Johnny Cowen, 13, in the seventh grade, was the student winner of the race running closely behind one of the teachers. He ran it in 16 minutes and 52 seconds.

Principal Alan Keller said this was the first time the school has done this and took months of planning.

His favorite part?

"Seeing every single student and staff member excited about the run," he said. "And having this nice moment that they’ll hopefully remember for a long time."

Laura McKenzie, a parent volunteer running club organizer, said about 40 students take part in the club. The event promotes exercise, she said.

"I love this curriculum," she said. "To have this in town makes sense. The Marathon is a huge part of our town."

Ryan Hawkins, who is on the track and cross-country teams at the school, said he runs about two or three times a week. "It makes me very excited that all training has gone into a great place," he said of getting second place.

He said the run was a great experience and has a larger connection to next week’s Marathon. He usually watches from the start line each year.

"It shows we are for the Boston Marathon and for everyone last year who was injured or killed," Ryan said.

Page 2 of 2 - Jonathan Phelps can be reached at 508-626-4338 or jphelps@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @JPhelps_MW.